Fate of DeMint’s Earmark Ban Uncertain

When Republican South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint proposed a complete ban on earmarks to his fellow Senate Republicans in March, it looked like he would have no trouble getting support from a majority of them. But now the outlook for his proposal is uncertain, Politico reports.

“With DeMint now pushing for a two-year moratorium halting only Republican senators’ earmarks, the prospects are deeply uncertain that he’ll be able to win the support of the 24 Republicans necessary to put the plan in motion – particularly since he’s encountered resistance from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and others who backed his plan last March,” the news service states.

Some Republicans aren’t too pleased that the ban wouldn’t apply to Democrats, and some of DeMint’s colleagues think he’s trying to boost his own image at the expense of the GOP leadership.

When Republican South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint proposed a complete ban on earmarks to his fellow Senate Republicans in March, it looked like he would have no trouble getting support from a majority of them. But now the outlook for his proposal is uncertain,Politico reports....